Christmas tree stand

ABSTRACT

A mechanical holder is disclosed for holding Christmas trees of various sizes and trunk shapes. The holder includes a base, a vessel fixed to the base and provided with a centering spike, and several retaining elements regularly spaced apart around the vessel. In their retaining position above the vessel, the retaining elements can swivel independently of each other to align and retain the Christmas tree with their faces towards the axis of symmetry. According to the invention, the Christmas tree stand has a single tensioning device which applies to the tree trunk the force required to align and retain the tree. Through the action of several force transmitting elements and diverting elements, the retaining elements compensate for possible irregularities or slanted tree growth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a retaining device for receiving Christmastrees of various sizes and trunk shapes.

A wide range of different designs for Christmas tree stands are known inpractice. There are stands available which comprise a base plate and atube which is fastened vertically thereon and in which the Christmastree is fastened by means of a plurality of horizontally arrangedT-screws. Erecting a tree using such stands usually involves a number ofproblems: two people are required in order to erect and align the tree;the tree trunks usually have to be adapted to the tree stand; theT-screws only provide small grip surfaces for fingers and are thusdifficult to rotate; and only a small water supply, if any at all, isensured.

Also known are stands wherein the receiving tube has an oversizeddiameter and in which the tree is positioned approximately centrally andwedged firmly by means of a plurality of wedges, which are drivenbetween the border of the receiving tube and the tree. It is alsodifficult in this case for a single person to align the tree.

Also known is a stand in which the tree trunk to be fastened is guidedin a sleeve provided with slots. A wedge-shaped displacement body in theform of a union nut is screwed onto the outer circumference of thesleeve and, by virtue of its wedge-shaped displacement profile,displaces radially arranged pressing jaws in the direction of the treetrunk. The tree trunk guided in the sleeve is finally clamped in andfixed by the radially inwardly moving pressing jaws. It is alsodisadvantageous in the case of this tree stand that, if the crosssection of the tree trunk is not circular, then nonuniform abutment ofthe pressing jaws results and causes insufficient fastening andalignment of the tree which is not completely vertical.

Also known are Christmas tree stands having a trunk-receiving partarranged on the base plate, and a plurality of retaining elements whichare arranged about an axis of symmetry and can be pivoted individually,independently of one another, above the receiving part between a releaseposition and a retaining position in planes which intersect at leastmore or less in the axis of symmetry. In the retaining position, theretaining elements can be made to butt under pressure against the trunkof the Christmas tree by way of an abutment region and have just onetensioning device which, via one force transmitting element, acts withthe same force on all the retaining elements simultaneously and movesthe retaining elements into their retaining position. This stand, whichhas achieved considerable market penetration, seems to be the best oneat present. However, this Christmas tree stand also has disadvantages:it is necessary, in order to actuate the tensioning device, to produce aconsiderable manual force when one is bent down to a considerableextent, a position in which it is difficult to keep the tree straight. Acable, for example, a steel cable, which is pulled by the tensioningdevice and makes the retaining elements butt against the tree trunk,operates on two considerably different planes, develops, at the furthestpoint from the tensioning device, i.e., on the rear retaining elements,a considerable tensile force that does not allow uniform forcedistribution over all the retaining elements. An extremely stableconstruction of the stand is required that is very cost-intensive.

Also known is a Christmas tree stand which is produced by complex andexpensive casting and is designed as a pot with three fixed crosspiecesat spacings of 120° and an inclination of 25° in a slanting plane.Clamping wedges provided with corresponding grooves are arranged suchthat the wedges are movable on the crosspieces such that the tree iscentrally positioned and presses on a plate connected to the clampingwedges and thus makes the clamping wedges butt against the tree andfasten it. A tree that is fastened in this way is difficult to removeagain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical retainingdevice of a generic type by means of which Christmas trees of a heightof up to approximately 2.50 m, with thick or thin trunks and a smooth ornon-uniform trunk surface are uniformly fastened and automaticallyaligned in the vertical position with the smallest possible amount offorce being exerted.

This object is achieved according to the present invention in that twoor more flexible connections are directed from a fixation point and arearranged in a tiltable and rotatable manner, via a plurality ofretaining elements, by way of a diverting element that guides theflexible connections to a pulling element. The flexible connections aretensioned by the pulling element such that the retaining elements, whichare arranged in a tiltable manner, move, by way of their top outer ends,in a predetermined radius in relation to an axis of symmetry of thereceiving vessel, which receives the tree trunk, and arrest the latter.The fixation point is in a plane that is lower than the retainingelements. The flexible connections are crossed with one another betweenthe pulling element and the retaining elements and are crossed with oneanother between the retaining elements and end fastening points. Upontensioning of the flexible connections, the retaining elements buttagainst the tree trunk by means of the pulling element in a flexiblemanner. Accordingly, the flexible connections compensate for unevennessin the shape of the tree trunk without the loss of force due to themovability of the fixation point.

The straightforward operation of the pulling element, either byactuating a foot lever or a remote control means which sets an electricmotor in operation, makes it possible to erect the tree reliably andvertically in relation to its axis of symmetry without one being forcedto bend down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematic plan view of a Christmas tree stand of the presentinvention during functioning with two flexible connections.

FIG. 2 schematic sectional illustration during functioning of theChristmas tree stand with two flexible connections.

FIG. 3 is a simplified plan view with the stand closed by a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A base plate 1 according to FIG. 1 has fixed to it a receiving vessel 2,which may be cylindrical or, in order to provide a greater water supply,polygonal, and serves for fixing and watering a Christmas tree. A spike21 is provided centrally within the receiving vessel 2 in order to fixthe tree trunk.

In order for the retaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c, that arearranged at regular intervals around the receiving vessel 2 on bearingbolts 13, 13 a, 13 b and 13 c such that they can be pivoted in or onbearing blocks 12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e, 12 f and 12 g, to betransferred from their rest position, which is brought about by one ormore restoring springs 7 directed by guide grooves 22 and 22 a, into aretaining position, use is made of a commercially available ratchet 18.The ratchet 18 is mounted in a block 19 and 19 a that is fixed to thebase plate 1. The ratchet rolls up flexible connections 5 and 6 by meansof vertical pressure-induced movement of a lever 20, which has apolygonal or round hollowed-out formation 20 a in order to receive alever extension 24 and 25. These connections 5 and 6 are guided throughopenings 17 and 17 a and are guided through a diverting element 16 whichis fixed to the base plate 1. The flexible connections 5 and 6 arecrossed at location 15. The connections 5 and 6 then run through guides14, 14 a, 14 b and 14 c in the retaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 cand the flexible connections 5 and 6 are then crossed with respect toone another again, at location 15 a, and are guided to their end points11 and 11 a in or on tiltable fastening element 8. The fastening element8 is provided with a bearing bolt 10, on or in a bearing block 9, whichis mounted rotatably on a spacer bolt 29.

By virtue of the diverting element 16 and the fastening elements 8 and 9which are fixed to the base plate 1 and are in a lower plane than theretaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c, the crossed arrangements 15 and15 a of the flexible connections 5 and 6 bring about—with only a smallamount of force being exerted by tensioning device 4—very direct andnevertheless flexible tensile behavior of the flexible connections 5 and6. By virtue of this and of the sliding freedom of movement which theflexible connections 5 and 6 have in the guide bores 14, 14 a, 14 b and14 c, the retaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c provide the requireduneven pressure against the trunk and accommodate for a tree which grewat a slant with respect to the trunk. Accordingly, the tree trunk isaligned and fastened in a predetermined vertical position.

In a modification to FIG. 1, FIGS. 2 and 3 provide for the operation ofrolling up the flexible connections 5 and 6 to be taken over by anelectric motor 26, which is supplied with power by a 12 V storagebattery or transformer 28 and is controlled by a remote control means30, via a drive shaft 27. Ratchet 18 is arranged upstream and isintended to prevent the undesired release of the flexible connections 5and 6, and thus of the retaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c in theevent of power failure.

Providing an electrical socket 32, for example, one providing 220 V,enclosed in a water-tight manner in the cover 31 for the connection ofelectric Christmas tree lights results in a user friendly Christmas treestand.

Release of ratchet lock 20 b and 33 releases the ratchet 18 and thus thetension on the flexible connections 5 and 6. The restoring spring 7 candraw the retaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c together, beneath theirmounts 13, 13 a, 13 b and 13 c, towards their axis of symmetry, with theresult that the retaining elements 3, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c, which retain thetree by way of their top ends, release said tree. The Christmas tree cannow be removed.

What is claimed:
 1. A mechanical retaining device for receiving a polemember, comprising: retaining elements for engaging the pole member, theretaining elements being movably mounted on a base plate to move towardsan axis of symmetry of the base plate; a force transmitting elementsconnected to the retaining elements so as to position said retainingelements upon tensioning of the force transmitting elements; a fasteningelement for anchoring first portions of said force transmitting element;a tensioning device for engaging second portions of said forcetransmitting elements and tensioning the force transmitting elementssuch that force is applied to the retaining elements to apply force tothe pole member; a diverting element, for guiding the force transmittingelements, disposed between the retaining elements and the tensioningdevice; and the force transmitting elements being crossed with respectto one another between the diverting element and the retaining elements.2. The mechanical retaining device of claim 1 wherein the forcetransmitting elements are crossed with respect to one another betweenthe fastening element and the retaining elements.
 3. The mechanicalretaining device according to claim 1 wherein the force transmittingelements are steel cables.
 4. The mechanical retaining device accordingto claim 1 wherein the tensioning device includes an electric motor forapplying tension force.
 5. A mechanical retaining device for receiving apole member, comprising: a base plate; retaining elements for engagingthe pole member, the retaining elements being movably mounted on thebase plate to move towards an axis of symmetry of the base plate; aforce transmitting element connected to the retaining elements so as toposition said retaining elements upon tensioning of the forcetransmitting element; a tensioning device for tensioning the forcetransmitting element; and a movable fastening element disposed on thebase plate and having said force transmitting element anchored thereto,said movable fastening element being movable such that different ones ofsaid retaining elements apply differing force levels to the pole member.6. The mechanical retaining device according to claim 5 wherein saidmovable fastening element is tiltable.
 7. The mechanical retainingdevice according to claim 5 wherein said movable fastening element isrotatable.
 8. The mechanical retaining device according to claim 5wherein said movable fastening element is tiltable and is rotatable. 9.The mechanical retaining device of claim 5 further comprising adiverting element for guiding the force transmitting element is disposedbetween the tensioning device and the retaining elements.
 10. Themechanical retaining device according to claim 5 wherein the tensioningdevice includes an electric motor for applying tension force.
 11. Amechanical retaining device for receiving a pole member, comprising:retaining elements for engaging the pole member, the retaining elementsbeing movably mounted on a base plate to move towards an axis ofsymmetry of the base plate; first and second force transmitting elementsrespectively connected to ones of the retaining elements so as toposition said retaining elements upon tensioning of the forcetransmitting elements; a first anchor for movably anchoring a first endof said first force transmitting element; a second anchor for movablyanchoring a first end of said second force transmitting element; and atensioning device for engaging second end of said first and second forcetransmitting elements and tensioning the first and second forcetransmitting elements such that force is applied to the retainingelements to apply force to the pole member.
 12. The mechanical retainingdevice of claim 11 further comprising a diverting element for guidingthe first and second force transmitting elements is disposed between thetensioning device and the retaining elements.
 13. The mechanicalretaining device of claim 11 wherein the first and second anchors aredisposed on a movable fastening element.
 14. The mechanical retainingdevice according to claim 13 wherein said movable fastening element istiltable.
 15. The mechanical retaining device according to claim 13wherein said movable fastening element is rotatable.
 16. The mechanicalretaining device according to claim 13 wherein said movable fasteningelement is tiltable and is rotatable.
 17. The mechanical retainingdevice according to claim 11, wherein the first and second forcetransmitting elements are steel cables.
 18. The mechanical retainingdevice according to claim 11, wherein the tensioning device includes anelectric motor for applying tension force to the first and second forcetransmitting elements.
 19. The mechanical retaining device according toclaim 18, wherein the tensioning device includes a releasable ratchetdevice driven by the electric motor.
 20. The mechanical retaining deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein the electric motor is supplied with powerby a transformer.
 21. The mechanical retaining device according to claim18, wherein the electric motor is controlled by a remote control.